1 Arrested, 2 Sought In Violent Robbery Of Salvation Army Store In South SF

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A South San Francisco man was arrested this week after allegedly attacking a Salvation Army employee who caught him trying to steal handbags and housewares, police said.

Mark McCawley, 43, and his girlfriend Bryce O’Rourke entered the Salvation Army store at 1170 Mission Road on Wednesday afternoon with an unidentified female accomplice, according to police.

The accomplice walked straight through the store and then walked outside to stand by a vehicle while McCawley and O’Rourke entered a backroom in the store’s warehouse, police said.

The store manager saw them putting on items of clothing and trying to conceal handbags and houseware items under the clothing and told them to stop and return the items.

McCawley allegedly responded by punching the store manager and attempting to flee, but he was tackled and detained by two store customers. O’Rourke then allegedly tried to free him by choking the store manager before fleeing in the car with the second woman.

The store manager suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

McCawley, who is unemployed, was arrested on suspicion of strong-arm robbery, commercial burglary, assault and battery and conspiracy while O’Rourke and the accomplice remain at large, police said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call South San Francisco police at (650) 877-8900.

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